Fashion continues to stand as more than just clothing; it continues to make social-political statements, as it did back in the day when Yves Saint Laurent introduced the tuxedo-style suit for women to counteract the corset.
From graphic slogan tees on the runway to blackouts on the red carpet, where and how does fashion make a statement? Gearing up for New York Fashion Week, 11 international designers spoke to Vogue about how the #MeToo and Time’s Up movements have affected them personally and creatively, and what they think needs to change in the industry.
Prabal Gurung
It’s difficult to forget the designer’s ‘Feminist Finale’ from New York Fashion Week 2017, which he applied to the recent movements.
“As designers, I believe that we should look at these movements as opportunities to both inspire and challenge us to be our very best. The red carpet is such a beautiful and highly visible platform for women to speak about issues that deserve to be on the agenda, that deserve time. As designers, we should give them something to talk about, whether it be our values and principles as a brand or the way we create and produce following ethical and sustainable methods. Fashion has the potential to be a conversation starter for trailblazing movements, and as designers, we should rise to the occasion and embrace this positive change.â€
Victoria Beckham
A NYFW regular, the former Spice Girl said, “The Time’s Up and #MeToo movements have shone a light on how powerful we can be when we all work together to bring about change, and that’s incredibly inspiring. My career has always focused on empowering and celebrating women, so the momentum that these movements have brought only makes me even more determined and passionate in my beliefs, and through my designs I continue to be inspired to reflect the many nuances and powers of femininity.â€
Jeremy Scott
Honest and unfiltered as always, Jeremy stated “To be honest, I was privy to the Time’s Up Movement and its blackout plan for the Golden Globes prior to the public debut, as I am very close friends with some of the leading ladies who have created this movement. But my last show for Moschino Pre-Fall was very much in the protest mood already. I had been thinking about the cultural shift we are experiencing and the crumbling of the patriarchy—the fight of the old guard versus the beliefs of the youth who will take their place. Being an openly gay man myself, I identify well with the plight of the women’s movement…
“Fashion has the power to carry a message. We need serious discussions in our society about things that have for too long gone ignored or have become normalized, but we also need levity in our lives to cope with the seriousness of the problems we face. For me, I have always seen my work as an escape for people to lose themselves in, for a fleeting moment. It’s a reprise from the reality we must deal with. We need a break every now and again in order to be able to fight the battle for the long haul.â€
Read the full story on Vogue.
